The urgent plea was posted on the Anniston Police Department’s Facebook page at 11:14 a.m. Wednesday, minutes after officer Justin Solluhub was shot in the line of duty.
As the news spread, the community turned to Facebook to express its shock and grief.
More than 21,000 people joined a prayer page. A sampling of their public prayers:
God, please comfort and bless his family. Also, please comfort and bless his police department as they are hurting, too.
— Cynthia Edwards Brock Young —
I wish everyone would pray for the Anniston officer and his family. Also for the officers still on the manhunt for the shooter, that they all return home safely tonight to their families. Also the shooter’s family, as we know the family is not responsible for the actions of one, but they will have the same grief for their loss when he is sentenced for his crime.
— Sandy Hankerson —
To all my law enforcement brothers and sisters: May the Lord be our partner while we are trying to keep the peace and ours safe.
— Harry L. Brown · Sylacauga —
Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.
— Anniston Police Department—
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13.
— Jilanee Fant Brimer —
Lord have mercy, have mercy, have mercy.
— Rachael Thomas —
He will forever live in others in more ways than one.
— Cecelia Chandler · Munford High School —
I pray that peace will overflow throughout the Anniston community, and our youth put down their guns and instead seek Jesus. He’s a problem solver.
— Vanessa Yvonne Wood —
Y’all do such a great job keeping us safe every day. In fact, I include y’all in my prayers every night. Be careful.
— Phillip Allen Bryant —
Matthew 5:9: Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
— Sharon Holcomb —
What is happening to Anniston? The churches need to come together to fast and pray for peace; there is power in prayer.
— Cathy Evans Freeman-Adams —
Rest in peace, Justin. I’ll always remember that little boy skating around and around the rink in Anniston and giving me a huge smile and a big ‘thumbs up’ each time he could stand up on roller skates. Heaven just gained another angel, 60 years before his time.
— Grace O’Malley McKeone —
Godspeed our brother, we'll take watch from here.
— Anniston Police Department —
